On the Origin of the World 13

1The primal Psyche loved Eros, who lived with her, and poured her blood over him and over the earth. From that blood, the first rose sprouted from the earth, emerging from the thorn bush as a source of gladness for the light that was to appear from within the bush.

2In addition, after this, lovely flowers with pleasant fragrances sprouted from the earth in different varieties. They came from each of the virgin daughters of Pronoia, and when the daughters fell in love with Eros, they poured out their blood over him and over the earth.

3After these, all the plants sprouted from the earth in different varieties, bearing within themselves the seed of the authorities and their angels.

4After these, the authorities created different varieties of animal species from the waters, including reptiles and birds, bearing within themselves the seed of the authorities and their angels.

5However, before all these, when he appeared on the first day, he remained on earth for about two days. Then he departed from the lower Pronoia in heaven and ascended toward his light. Immediately, darkness obscured the entire cosmos.